Wisconsin-based atheist group sues Trump over church order

Author Daryl Cohen

07 May, 2017

And maybe some in the group wondered where "here" was since they hadn't even seen the two-page executive orderthey were gathered to congratulate and only knew the general idea of it from a White House memo issued the previous night with just three bullet points. While several Southern Baptist leaders offered their support, other Baptists criticize the action.

"We are giving churches their voices back", Trump said during the ceremony at the White House.

An adjustment to the Internal Revenue Code - which was adjusted in 1986 but continued to include Johnson Amendment - would require an act of Congress, but Trump can influence how it is enforced.

As he marked the National Day of Prayer at the White House Thursday, Trump signed the order asking the IRS to use "maximum enforcement discretion" over the rarely enforced regulation, known as Johnson Amendment. Instead, it only prevents partisan politicking while maintaining tax exemption. There will be a proclamation the President will sign.

The leadership of PFLAG National, an LGBT organization for families, said the lives of gay Americans could be controlled by other people's ideologies under Trump's new order.

"The actions taken today are a broadside to our country's long-standing commitment to the separation of church and state", the organization said. "Much, much more needed, especially from Congress". "Trump's assertion that he wished to "totally destroy" the Johnson amendment with this order has proven to be a textbook case of 'fake news'". Although a president can not actually repeal the regulation, his act may encourage some churches to engage in partisan politics.

The executive order will also protect non-profit and religious organizations from the ObamaCare mandate that forced them to provide contraceptives and abortion-inducing drugs and devices at no cost to the employees.

Iraq PM: No US combat troops to stay in Iraq after ISIraqi forces now seem to be moving closer to the Old City in apparent anticipation of an operation to clear it. Iraq and Iran also share a religion, a long border and in some cases, national interests in the region.

Acadia Realty Trust Enters Oversold TerritoryEducation Realty Trust (NYSE:EDR) had its stock rating reiterated as "Hold" in a report released by analysts at Canaccord Genuity. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock.

Throughout his campaign and afterward, Trump has maligned the amendment as a muzzle on the free speech of clergy.

"What is a pastor to do if a congregant who is a major donor now makes his church gift contingent on an endorsement from the pulpit for his or her preferred candidate?" asked Saperstein, a former USA ambassador-at-large for religious freedom, as well as the Union for Reform Judaism's adviser for policy and strategy. "But some politicians and a few interest groups looking to solidify their political power continue to push it to further their agenda".

President Trump rolled out a long-awaited executive order today. Almost 100 clergy and faith leaders from across a range of denominations sent a letter last month to congressional leaders urgingthem to uphold the regulation.

Bishop Ronnie Crudup Sr. heads the Fellowship of International Churches. "It would undermine my moral authority as a guardian of religious tradition".

-Vox dives into the details surrounding the order and the widespread opposition to the ideas it promotes, both from advocacy groups like the BJC as well as the public. He also summarized Democratic challenger John Kerry's views on the issues.

Meanwhile, House Ways and Means Committee chairman Rep. Kevin Brady has expressed support for the repeal of the Johnson Amendment in the tax code overhaul. Noting the importance of religious liberty, he explained the targeted regulation "is not a threat to religious liberty".

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The Ducks now have lost back-to-back games in regulation for the first time since the first two games of this season. Louis' best player throughout the day, including 17 in a second period where the Blues were outshot 18-4.

At least three tornadoes touched down east of Dallas as severe storms moved through the area, the weather service said. A 65-year-old woman, Julia Schwede, was killed in Arkansas when a tree was blown into her home on Saturday night.

The league could not look at this play and see Niskanen as a reckless player who was trying to hurt the top player in the NHL. Crosby's first concussion came in January 2011 and sidelined him until November of the next season, missing 68 games in all.

So, you ask, how can Scott seriously think she'd get back with him if he's been with at least 3 women over the last 6 months? Unfortunately for Kourt, she didn't outdo her baby daddy, who is now dating 19-year-old model Ella Rose.

He even went as far as defending the Russian leader to Fox News' Bill O'Reilly, who called Putin a killer in an interview . WILLIAM BRANGHAM: Apparently, President Trump didn't clear this with the State Department before issuing this invitation.

The suspect - a local resident - was later found dead inside a home. "Confirming one paramedic shot while responding to a call". A manhunt is underway in Dallas , Texas for a man who opened fire on a paramedic responding to an emergecy call.

The move comes as the U.S.is in talks with Iraqi leaders over plans to keep an enduring American presence there also. The official was not authorized to discuss the letters publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The NSA is also planning to delete "the vast majority" of previously acquired "upstream" internet communications ASAP, it said. A single call would be counted as two records because they were submitted separately by the two companies handling the call.

But UT-Austin police said later that three were wounded. "That's a challenge for all police departments", Carter said. White was always smiling and happy-go-lucky when they would chat before and after class, Springer said.

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